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Yellow Underwear Overtakes Red in Mexico’s New Year Ritual

Retailer tallies plus a street survey point to shoppers seeking prosperity, with many citing inflation.

Overview

  • Wearing colored underwear on December 31 is a widespread custom in Mexico and across Latin America to symbolize what people hope to attract in the coming year.
  • A Mexico City street survey reported most buyers choosing yellow to invite money over red for love, and vendors described stronger demand for yellow styles.
  • Some locales show different preferences, with sellers in San Luis Potosí reporting red as the top seller heading into the holiday.
  • Common meanings highlighted include red for romance and passion and yellow for prosperity, with white, green, blue, purple, pink, black and orange associated with other wishes.
  • Coverage emphasizes the practice as a playful, symbolic ritual with no guarantee that a chosen color will deliver specific outcomes.